Microfiche holding device

ABSTRACT

A resilient image-bearing medium holding device is disclosed for supporting a resilient image-bearing medium such as a microfiche or aperture card in a projection plane of a microfilm viewing apparatus or reader. The device includes a pair of opposed plates in a fixed relationship to each other and has opposed complementary curved surfaces that flex a resilient image-bearing medium inserted therebetween, thereby lightly holding the resilient image-bearing medium in the inserted position independent of gravitational forces while allowing for relatively easy movement thereof for scanning.

i United States Patent [151 3,658,41 6 Crayton [451 Apr. 25, 1972 [5MICROFICHE HOLDING DEVICE 3,533,689 10/1970 Smith et al .353/78 [72]Inventor: Bruce E. Craymn, Hamlin, NY 2,562,708 7/1951 Flekel ..355/75[73] Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, PrimaryE.raminer-Leonard Forman N.Y. Assistant Examiner-Steven L. Stephan [22]Filed: 3, 1970 Attorney-R. W. Hampton and Gary D. Fields [211 Appl. No.:8,193 [57] ABSTRACT A resilient image-bearing medium holding device isdisclosed U-S. for upporting a resilient image.bea ing medium uch as a355/75 microfiche or aperture card in a projection plane of a 22 l2f3g?6g A microfilm viewing apparatus or reader. The device includes are o are y r r 3 pair of opposed plates in a fixed relationship to eachother and 40/64 158 24/67 243 243 g has opposed complementary curvedsurfaces that flex a I resilient image-bearing medium insertedtherebetween, thereby lightly holding the resilient image-bearing mediumin [56] References cued the inserted position independent ofgravitational forces while UNITED STATES PATENTS allowing for relativelyeasy movement thereof for scanning. 1,973,827 9/1934 Shwartz ..355/75 9Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTED APR 2 5 I872 SHEET l0? 2 BRUCE E.CRAYTON 2 VB N TOR.

ililiima PATENTEDAPR 2 5 I972 SHEET 2 BF 2 BRUGIE E. CRAYTON yENTOR. 4L

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ATTORNEYS MICROFICHE HOLDING DEVICE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATIONS v Reference is made to commonly assigned co-pending U.S.Pat. application Ser. No. 633,570, entitled Facilitating Insertion andSelective Positioning of Microfiche in Readers, filed in the name ofHomer A. Smith et al., and to commonly assigned co-pending U.S. Pat.application Ser. No. 730,223, entitled Convertible Record Viewer or thelike, filed in the name of Elmer O. Wangerin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates generally to microfilm viewing apparatus and more particularlyto microfilm viewing apparatus including a resilient image-bearingmedium holding device having no moving parts and capable of receivingand holding a resilient image-bearing medium when inserted therein.

2. Description of the Prior Art Microfilm viewing apparatus of the typefor projecting images from resilient image-bearing media such asmicrofiche or aperture cards are generally well known. Moreover, it iswell known to provide a holder or other means for supporting microfichein a suitable plane for projection and a carriage for moving the holderwithin the projection plane so that images on the microfiche may beselectively aligned with the apparatus projection system to facilitateprojection. One'such microfiche holder and carriage assembly isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,352,201 to P. J. Brownscombe. A microficheis held for projection in the Brownscombe device by a pair oftransparent flats. Since the flats are oriented horizontally, themicrofiche is held between them by the weight of the upper flat. Similarsandwich-type microfiche holders are disclosed in commonly assigned,copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 633,570, entitled Assembly forFacilitating Insertion and Selective Positioning of Microfiche inreaders, filed in the names of Homer A. Smith et al., and in commonlyassigned, copending U.S. application Ser. No. 730,223, entitledConvertible Record Viewer or the Like, filed in the name of Elmer O.Wangerin. In both the Smith et al. and Wangerin devices, a microfiche isheld between transparent flats as a result of the flats being biasedtoward each other, which bias must be removed before the microfiche maybe inserted or removed from between the flats. If the flats were notbiased, it is readily apparent that, when oriented in a near-verticalposition, they would be incapable of holding a microfiche insertedtherebetween when the flats were separated even a very small distancegreater than the thickness of the microfiche itself. Even with the aidof compliant material on the opposed surfaces of the flats, theadditional distance which the flats may be separated without completelyreleasing the microfiche is not significant.

Relatively complex carriage devices are disclosed in Brownscombe andSmith et al. for providing movement of the holder-encased microfichewithin the projection plane, while in Wangerin the holder-encasedmicrofiche is manipulated manually within the projection plane, beingheld between a pair of fabric-pile-covered plates biased toward eachother. With the ever increasing use of microfiche in business andindustry, there is a need for a personal microfiche reader. Such areader should be economical, compact, and lightweight as well asreliable, thereby necessitating simplicity in design. Elaborate andcomplex holder and carriage assemblies as described above do not lendthemselves readily to such a personal reader. It is therefore desirableto provide a small and relatively simple microfiche holder, suitable foruse in a personal microfiche reader.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a principal object of thepresent invention to provide a small, compact, and lightweight microfilmreader having improved means for facilitating the insertion andmanipulation of resilient imagebearing medium therein.

Assembly For It is a further object of this invention to provide anapparatus for holding a resilient image-bearing medium within theprojection plane of a microfiche reader by flexing the image-bearingmedium inserted therein, thereby producing forces for holding theimage-bearing medium independent of gravitational forces whilepermitting relatively free movement thereof for image selection.

In accordance with this invention a projection apparatus or readerhaving a projection plane is provided for projecting images fromresilient image-bearing media inserted into the projection plane. A pairof members are fixedly supported in opposed relation on opposite sidesof the projection plane with means located on the opposing surfaces orfaces of the two members for producing flexing of an image-bearingmedium inserted therebetween. In the embodiment of the inventiondisclosed below, such flexing means take the form of complementary,curved, opposing surfaces which define a serpentine-like curved pathbetween the members. When a resilient image-bearing medium such as amicrofiche or aperture card is inserted into the curved path, it isflexed, thereby exerting restoring forces, which forces lightly hold theimagebearing medium between the members with minimum contact between thecurved surfaces and the medium. While the members are spaced closeenough together to flex an image-bearing medium when insertedtherebetween they are spaced far enough apart to pennit relatively easymanipulation of the medium for image selection.

The invention, and its objects and advantages, will become more apparentin the detailed description of the preferred embodiments presented belowin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of asmall microfilm projection apparatus or reader with parts broken away toshow details of the projection system and location of the image-bearingmedium holding device;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section of the holding device taken along lines 22of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is a front elevation of one member of the holding device showingan alternative arrangement in phantom; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partly in section, of the holding deviceshowing further structural details.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawingsand in particular to FIG. I there is shown a small projection apparatusor personal microfiche reader 10, having a housing 11, which is compactand lightweight. Reader 10 is adapted to receive microfilm cards ormicrofiche 12, shown partially inserted into a projection plane definedby microfiche holding device or film gate 14, in a manner to bedescribed in detail. The projection system of reader 10 includes anillumination source or lamp 16, a reflector 18, a condenser lens 20, anda mirror 22 which, in operation, directs light from condenser 20 to filmgate 14. After passing through film gate 14 and microfiche 12, the lightpasses through a projection lens (not shown) and is directed to displaysurface or opaque viewing screen 24, mounted in housing 11, by the wayof a folded light path and minors (also not shown) in a manner readilyapparent to one skilled in the art. So that microfiche 12 may bemanually manipulated for movement in any direction within the projectionplane, there are a pair of recesses or cavities 26 and 28 in housing 11of reader l0, disposed above and blow film gate or holder 14respectively. With cavities 26 and 28 so located, the operator mayinsert his fingers either above or below holder 14 to grasp microfiche12 when inserted in holder 14, thereby enabling him to manipulate themicrofiche for image selection.

The means for holding a flexible image-bearing medium or microfiche 12within the projection plane will now be described. As shown in FIG. 2,holder 14 includes a pair of opposed members 30 and 32 positionedsubstantially on either side of the projection plane of reader 10.Members 30 and 32 include a pair of aligned projection apertures 34 and36, respectively, through which light from the projection system passesduring projection of images contained on microfiche 12, as illustratedby the arrows in FIGS. 1 and 2. Members 30 and 32 are also provided withmeans for flexing microfiche 12 when inserted therebetween. Such meanscan take the form of, but are not limited to, curved surfaces incomplementary relationship defining a serpentine-like path into whichmicrofiche 12 may be inserted by the operator. When inserted therein,microfiche 12 is flexed sufficiently to develop restoring forces withinmicrofiche 12 itself, thereby preventing the microfiche from moving whenreleased from the operator's hand.

In the disclosed embodiment, the curved complementary surfaces areindicated as depressions 38 in the face of member 30 and raised portions42 in the face of member 32. The raised portions 42 are positioned so asto be in complementary relation with depressions 38. As can best be seenin FIG. 2, microfiche 12, when inserted between members 30 and 32, isflexed slightly due to the curved path it must follow. Althoughdepressions 38 and raised portions 42 can take any one of a number ofshapes, in this embodiment depressions 38 are depicted as a pair ofhorizontal elongate depressions disposed in the face of member 30 oneither side of aperture 34, and raised portions 42 are illustrated as apair of horizontal elongate protuberances complementary in both shapeand position to depressions 38 and disposed on the face of member 32 oneither side of aperture 36, as shown in the front view of member 32 inFIG. 2A. Although the depressions 38 and raised portions 42 are shown inFIGS. 2 and 2A as being oriented horizontally, it will be understoodthat, alternatively, they may also be oriented vertically as shown byraised portions 42 in phantom in FIG. 2A, or at any other suitableposition between horizontal and vertical. Also, both horizontal andvertical sets of depressions and complementary raised portions, asillustrated in FIG. 3, may be utilized without departing from the scopeof this invention.

Referring now to FIG. 3, further structural details of holding device 14are shown. Although holder 14 is here illustrated as having a set ofvertical depressions 46 and raised portions 48, as well as thehorizontal set of depressions 38 and raised portions 42 previouslydescribed, it is understood that the same structural details apply toalternate embodiments of the device utilizing only one set ofdepressions and raised portions in any orientation. As can be seen inFIG. 3, members 30 and 32 are merely extensions of plates 31 and 33,respectively, which plates are fixedly mounted in housing 11 and arefixedly spaced apart at both the top (not shown) and bottom by a spacerbar 35 and secured by screws 37. Plates 31 and 33 are wide enough andextend far enough into reader so as to be able to accommodate amicrofiche when fully inserted into the device, i.e., when the column ofimages farthest from the edge of the microfiche first inserted isaligned with apertures 34 and 36. Members 30 and 32, as well as plates31 and 33, may have beveled or rounded edges 50 and 52, respectively, soas to facilitate insertion of a microfiche therebetween. Further, ifdesired, the mating surfaces of members 30 and 32 and plates 31 and 33can be covered with a soft compliant material 54 such as plush or felt,as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, so as to protect the microfiche from beingscratched or damaged when inserted between the plates.

In FIG. 2, there is also shown means for substantially maintainingwithin the projection plane that part of an image-bearing medium, inthis case microfiche 12, which is aligned with apertures 34 and 36. Inthe preferred embodiment, that means is illustrated as a pair oftransparent flats 56 and 58 which are shown mounted in apertures 34 and36, respectively. Trans parent flats 56 and 58 may be made of anysuitable transparent material such as glass or plastic and are spacedapart a distance slightly greater than the thickness of standardmicrofiche material. Microfiche positioned between flats 56 and 58 willbe prevented from buckling during projection due to heat of theprojection system. If the light level of the projection system is so lowthat a buckling problem is not presented, transparent flats 56 and 58can be eliminated.

Since members 30 and 32 are stationary, the spacing between them iscritical to the invention, and is dictated by the following factors.First, members 30 and 32 are close enough together to provide sufficientcontact with the microfiche inserted therebetween so as to slightly flexthe microfiche, thereby preventing it from falling out of holder 14 whenreleased by the operator. Second, the members are spaced far enoughapart so that the contact with the microfiche is minimal, therebyallowing for relatively free movement of the microfiche for imageselection while inserted between the members. With these two criteriahaving been met, an operator is able to insert a microfiche into holder14 and move it around, cursorily examining the images until he finds theimage which he desires to inspect further, at which time he may releasethe microfiche and it will remain at that position without furthermovement.

As is apparent from the foregoing description, the microfiche holdingdevice or film gate 14 is a relatively simple device with no movingparts, thereby contributing to a long product life that is relativelyservice free. Although its simple design lends it readily toincorporation into readers of the small and compact variety, nonethelessit may be incorporated into larger readers where there is the desireand/or necessity for a simple and reliable microfiche holder.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference topreferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variationsand modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

I claim:

1. In projection apparatus having a projection plane, means forprojecting an image from a resilient image-bearing medium located in andmovable in said projection plane, and means for holding a resilientimage-bearing medium substantially in said projection plane, theimprovement wherein said holding means comprises:

first and second members supported by said apparatus in opposed relationon opposite sides of said projection plane and having opposing surfaces,said first and second members each having an aperture optically alignedwith said projecting means through which apertures light can beprojected; and

first and second means respectively on said opposing surfaces of saidfirst and second members for cooperatively flexing a resilientimage-bearing medium inserted between said opposing surfaces to createrestoring forces within the inserted medium, which forces substantiallyhold the medium, independent of gravity, in an inserted position betweensaid first and second members, said first and second flexing means beingspaced sufficiently close enough together to flex an image bearingmedium inserted therebetween to create said restoring forces in saidmedium but sufficiently far enough apart to permit relatively freemovement of said medium between said first and second members.

2. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said holding means furthercomprises:

means for maintaining substantially in said projection plane thatportion of an inserted image-bearing medium which is between saidapertures.

3. In projection apparatus having a projection plane, means forprojecting an image from a resilient image-bearing medium located in andmovable in said projection plane, and a film gate for holding aresilient image-bearing medium substantially in said projection plane,the improvement wherein said film gate comprises:

a first member supported on one side of said projection plane; and

a second member supported in closely spaced, opposed relation to saidfirst member on the opposite side of said projection plane, said firstand second members each having a curved surface, said curved surfacesbeing complementary and opposed so that a resilient image-bearing mediuminserted between said first and second members is flexed to createforces in the inserted medium, which forces maintain the position of themedium between said first and second members, said curved surfacesrespectively of said first and second members being spaced sufficientlyclose enough together such that an inserted image-bearing medium isflexed but sufficiently far enough apart to permit relatively freemovement of said medium between said first and second members.

4. The invention defined in claim 3 wherein said first and secondmembers each further include:

means defining an aperture through which light can be projected, eachmember being supported at a location so that said aperture is in opticalalignment with said projecting means.

5. The invention defined in claim 4, said first and second members eachfurther comprising:

a transparent plate mounted within said aperture defining means of eachof said members, said plates being spaced from each other a distancesuch that the portion of the inserted image-bearing medium which isbetween said transparent plates is maintained substantially in saidprojection plane.

6. The invention defined in claim 4, said first and second members eachfurther comprising:

compliant material at least partially covering said curved surface forminimizing damage to the image-bearing medium.

7. Apparatus for holding a resilient image-bearing medium in theprojection plane of a projector, said apparatus comprismg:

a first holding member having a first curved surface and a firstaperture through which light can be projected, said first member beingsupported on one side of the projection plane with said first curvedsurface facing the projection plane; second holding member having asecond curved surface and a second aperture through which light can beprojected, said second member being supported on a side of theprojection plane opposite said first member with said second curvedsurface facing the projection plane and with said second aperturealigned with said first aperture of said first member, said first andsecond holding members being spaced sufiiciently close enough togetherso that a resilient image-bearing medium inserted therebetween issufficiently flexed by said members to hold said medium in a fixedposition but sufficiently far enough apart to permit relatively freemovement of said medium between said first and second members. 8. Theapparatus defined in claim 7 further comprising: a first transparentplate mounted within said first aperture of said first holding member;and a second transparent plate mounted in said second aperture of saidsecond holding member, said first and second transparent plates beingspaced from each other so that a portion of the inserted image-bearingmedium which is between said transparent plates is maintainedsubstantially in the projection plane. 9. The apparatus defined in claim7 further comprising: compliant material at least partially coveringsaid first and second curved surfaces of said first and second holdingmembers for minimizing damage to the image-bearing medium insertedbetween said members.

1. In projection apparatus having a projection plane, means forprojecting an image from a resilient image-bearing medium located in andmovable in said projection plane, and means for holding a resilientimage-bearing medium substantially in said projection plane, theimprovement wherein said holding means comprises: first and secondmembers supported by said apparatus in opposed relation on oppositesides of said projection plane and having opposing surfaces, said firstand second members each having an aperture optically aligned with saidprojecting means through which apertures light can bE projected; andfirst and second means respectively on said opposing surfaces of saidfirst and second members for cooperatively flexing a resilientimage-bearing medium inserted between said opposing surfaces to createrestoring forces within the inserted medium, which forces substantiallyhold the medium, independent of gravity, in an inserted position betweensaid first and second members, said first and second flexing means beingspaced sufficiently close enough together to flex an image bearingmedium inserted therebetween to create said restoring forces in saidmedium but sufficiently far enough apart to permit relatively freemovement of said medium between said first and second members.
 2. Theinvention defined in claim 1 wherein said holding means furthercomprises: means for maintaining substantially in said projection planethat portion of an inserted image-bearing medium which is between saidapertures.
 3. In projection apparatus having a projection plane, meansfor projecting an image from a resilient image-bearing medium located inand movable in said projection plane, and a film gate for holding aresilient image-bearing medium substantially in said projection plane,the improvement wherein said film gate comprises: a first membersupported on one side of said projection plane; and a second membersupported in closely spaced, opposed relation to said first member onthe opposite side of said projection plane, said first and secondmembers each having a curved surface, said curved surfaces beingcomplementary and opposed so that a resilient image-bearing mediuminserted between said first and second members is flexed to createforces in the inserted medium, which forces maintain the position of themedium between said first and second members, said curved surfacesrespectively of said first and second members being spaced sufficientlyclose enough together such that an inserted image-bearing medium isflexed but sufficiently far enough apart to permit relatively freemovement of said medium between said first and second members.
 4. Theinvention defined in claim 3 wherein said first and second members eachfurther include: means defining an aperture through which light can beprojected, each member being supported at a location so that saidaperture is in optical alignment with said projecting means.
 5. Theinvention defined in claim 4, said first and second members each furthercomprising: a transparent plate mounted within said aperture definingmeans of each of said members, said plates being spaced from each othera distance such that the portion of the inserted image-bearing mediumwhich is between said transparent plates is maintained substantially insaid projection plane.
 6. The invention defined in claim 4, said firstand second members each further comprising: compliant material at leastpartially covering said curved surface for minimizing damage to theimage-bearing medium.
 7. Apparatus for holding a resilient image-bearingmedium in the projection plane of a projector, said apparatuscomprising: a first holding member having a first curved surface and afirst aperture through which light can be projected, said first memberbeing supported on one side of the projection plane with said firstcurved surface facing the projection plane; a second holding memberhaving a second curved surface and a second aperture through which lightcan be projected, said second member being supported on a side of theprojection plane opposite said first member with said second curvedsurface facing the projection plane and with said second aperturealigned with said first aperture of said first member, said first andsecond holding members being spaced sufficiently close enough togetherso that a resilient image-bearing medium inserted therebetween issufficiently flexed by said members to hold said medium in a fixedposition but sufficiently far enough apart to permit relatively freemovement of said medium betwEen said first and second members.
 8. Theapparatus defined in claim 7 further comprising: a first transparentplate mounted within said first aperture of said first holding member;and a second transparent plate mounted in said second aperture of saidsecond holding member, said first and second transparent plates beingspaced from each other so that a portion of the inserted image-bearingmedium which is between said transparent plates is maintainedsubstantially in the projection plane.
 9. The apparatus defined in claim7 further comprising: compliant material at least partially coveringsaid first and second curved surfaces of said first and second holdingmembers for minimizing damage to the image-bearing medium insertedbetween said members.